Sweet Words: "No Hyperplasia or Carcinoma"

Good news: my uterine biopsy came back 100% negative, with "no hyperplasia or carcinoma identified."

Great news, actually. Some minor nuisance matters to attend to, but nothing serious. More about comfort than health.

Ron and I are grateful to God, and grateful for top-notch doctors. And we both feel tired tonight... very tired.

Thank you to all who prayed for this test result. We love you.

His sun is shining today!

UCLA, Victorious Again!!!

YES!!!

(Photo by Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Keeping Quiet about My Uterine Biopsy

I underwent a uterine biopsy yesterday. It was unexpected... I started showing telltale symptoms only last week. My longtime doctor promptly sent me to an experienced specialist.

My research, and the specialist's preliminary comments, point to good results, with no or pre-cancerous cells for endometrial cancer. I will receive test results next week. Early-stage endometrial cancer has a cure rate of more than 90%.

To my surprise, I don't feel afraid. At least not yet.

Maybe it doesn't seem real. Or maybe I feel in good medical hands. Or maybe I feel God's presence. I don't know.

What's most disconcerting right now is the reaction of the few people who know: Pity. Sadness. Mild fear (of what, I'm not sure).

My mother's lifelong best friend... a strong Christian woman... battled cancer for over 25 years. She dealt gracefully with various indignities, and she led a wonderful and active life by anyone's measure. She passed away last summer in a car accident, in her late 70s.

I don't want to tell anyone else, because I don't want their sorrow or pity. I am fine, and I am blessed.

One thing, though. Nothing like the "C-word" to cause one to rethink priorities.

Making Room for Joy

I like this photo of Andrea and me.

It was taken on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at a wine-filled dinner hosted by About.com/New York Times Co. in a delightfully noisy and busy San Diego restaurant. Ron and Andrea had never before met my co-workers, who are all writers and editors.

The three of us had fun in Old Town San Diego the night before, and on Saturday, Ron and Andrea toured the campus of UC San Diego.

Today, I had a doctor's appointment, and I have health issues to work on. At my age of 55, I'm starting to grasp that earthly time is limited. We lost a friend to cancer in 2005, and Ron's mother in 2006.

Driving home from the doctor's office this morning, I spied a church marquee that read, "Seize Joy Today."

Times with loved ones, like last weekend in San Diego when this photo was taken, are precious. I need to make more room for joyful, memorable times.